Samar bishops urge LGUs to reject mining

BORONGAN CITY—The three Catholic bishops of Samar Island have united in opposing mining activities in Eastern Samar, warning that even mineral exploration could pave the way for large-scale extraction that threatens forests, watersheds, farmlands, coastal ecosystems and the livelihoods of local communities. Bishops Crispin Varquez of the Diocese of Borongan, Isabelo Abarquez of the Diocese